Status: 05.02.2023 00:40 a.m
Thousands of people have again taken to the streets in Israel to protest against the restructuring of the judicial system planned by Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government. According to critics, this endangers democracy in the country.
Tens of thousands of people have again protested against a controversial judicial reform in Israel. Around 40,000 demonstrators gathered in the center of the coastal city of Tel Aviv. Many waved Israeli flags and chanted “Freedom, Equality, Quality of Government.” According to media reports, around 10,000 people also took to the streets in Haifa. Smaller protests were reported from several other Israeli cities.
It was the fifth wave of demonstrations against the new government, a far-right coalition of right-wing conservative, far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties that took office in December.
Reform at the heart of government agenda
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government wants to overhaul the legal system and weaken the Supreme Court. According to Justice Minister Jariv Levin’s plans, a majority in parliament should be able to pass a law even if the Supreme Court considers it to be in violation of the Basic Law. Levin also wants to change the composition of the panel that appoints judges. Critics see this as a threat to the separation of powers. The Minister of Justice accuses the Supreme Court of overly interfering in political decisions.
The government has placed reform of the judiciary at the heart of its agenda. The courts now have too much power, she explained.